DAY 25

A SPIRIT OF WISDOM

ROB MCCORKLE, EVANGELIST

The apostle Paul prayed for believers in Ephesus to have a spirit of wisdom (Ephesians 1:17). Wisdom is divine reasoning. It’s possessing heavenly solutions for earthly problems. Wisdom indicates that our minds are being influenced by the Spirit of God; thus, enabling us to think and reason with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).

In the second chapter of Corinthians, Paul was contrasting two types of wisdom: the wisdom of men and the wisdom of God. People often speak of being “street wise” as if possessing earthly wisdom is advantageous. James, however, says wisdom that doesn’t come from above (heavenly wisdom) is “earthly, natural, demonic” (James 3:15). The wisdom from above is sourced by the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament, mankind was limited in receiving wisdom. The Spirit of God would come and reveal insights to His people, but it was only a momentary interaction. The Holy Spirit was yet to be given to God’s people. Consequently, Paul said their eyes really didn’t see, their ears really didn’t hear, and their hearts couldn’t begin to imagine the wonderful things God had prepared for them (1 Corinthians 2:9). Their revelation of God’s wisdom was limited.

Over the years I’ve heard teachers use this verse in funeral services and then proceed to state that their recently departed loved one was now in a heavenly place, able to receive profound spiritual truths. While there is little question that things will be revealed to us when we step into eternity, that isn’t Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 2:9. He was contrasting believers from two different covenants. Presently, in the New Covenant, we have access to the mind of God through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

Paul continued,

“But to us God revealed them [things our eyes never saw, ears never heard, and hearts couldn’t imagine] through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).

Note that phrase, the Holy Spirit searches the depths (bathos) of God. This word refers to the deep, profound wisdom hidden in the mind of God. The Holy Spirit is like the ultimate Google search inside God’s mind, and when the Spirit discovers these incredible truths, we have access to that wisdom and insight through the Spirit. In fact, Paul went on to write, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).

Believers should be the most wise, creative, and productive people on the planet because of our relationship with the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t mean we don’t study, read books, or go to school. Nor does it mean we’re in competition with other people. However, because of our relationship with the Spirit, we should have an edge on those who only have the spirit of the world. In fact, this should give us purpose for why we’re alive. Perhaps the Lord has placed you in the assignment you’re in so that you can be the instrument of change through divine wisdom.

I recently heard the story of a man who owned a car parts store years ago. The company grew rapidly, but their computer program was limited and unable to track parts, discounts, and sales. It was hurting their relationship with clients who wanted to order large quantities of parts. They didn’t have the resources to purchase a larger program, so they sought help from the program designers. Still, no solutions. After many months and the loss of clients, the owner asked the Holy Spirit for a solution. That night the Lord spoke to him in a dream and gave him a set of numbers and symbols that looked like computer codes. He woke his wife up and they went to the parts store and typed in what the Spirit revealed to him. And to everyone’s surprise, they redesigned a program that more than fulfilled their needs.

Another person who ministered in Africa developed an irrigation technique, inspired by the wisdom of the Spirit, that delivered water to growing vegetables so that an entire village could be sustained. Still, a friend of mine was inspired with a set of directions early one morning. And when she followed them, they led her to a hospital 90 minutes away. When she pulled into the parking lot, the Spirit gave her an image of a woman with an orange sweater in the waiting room. As it turned out, her husband had a heart attack while they were on vacation, and they were miles from home. She sat alone and afraid until my friend walked in and ministered to her. How did that happen? Her mind was inspired with heavenly insight through the Holy Spirit.

Kris Vallatton wrote, “The truth is that if we don’t take our rightful place in the earth, we relegate sinners void of the mind of Christ, barred from the wisdom of the ages, and wandering in utter darkness to being the most brilliant minds of our time.” We are the best hope to bring transformation to our world. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Light penetrates darkness; it brings clarity, revelation, direction, and hope. Without light, mankind will continue to walk in perpetual darkness.

Heavenly solutions are without limits, and God wants to inspire your mind with divine answers to meet the complex problems surrounding you. He wants to give you kingdom strategies to reach your community and city for Christ. He wants to give you insight in raising your children. He wants to enlighten your mind to complete difficult assignments, solve relational problems, and unravel financial concerns. Wisdom is available by yielding to the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

Don’t be overwhelmed or fearful. Don’t fall prey to intimidation or insecurity. Your mind is being sourced by wisdom from above. You are in perpetual training in the school of the Spirit. What’s in God’s mind can be made known in your mind.

PRAYER

Father, I pray for a spirit of wisdom. Open my mind to divine insight. Inspire me with heavenly solutions to earthly problems.